Not Your Typical Villianess - Chapter 208

XIA YING’S Quarters, the Crown Prince’s Resident.

Xia Ying had already heard the rumours concerning this cousin in question and while she was sympathetic. She couldn’t help but worry that this cousin of his might not be that simple and might cause a mess but she doesn’t dare say anything and instead just replied, “I will support whatever decision you make concerning this, Your Highness. We must not allow Miss Chen misfortune to kill her light.”

Zhongshan Ling relaxed at her response, she didn’t seem worked up a looked like she genuinely wanted to help him out. ‘Yes, this is the type of consort I need. How did I think that someone as erratic as Zhu Fenfang could do the job? Xia Ying is the most level headed woman I knew and I appreciated her for that’ He thought as he watched her carefully brew the tea and pour him a cup.

Her actions were delicate and gracefully, with each step perfectly executed to achieve success. He accepted the cup of tea she handed to him and took a sip. “You tea making skills are top-notch even a well-trained palace maid can’t compare to you. It tastes good”, he raised his teacup as he made the last statement, scanning the room quietly.

“Thanks”, she replied smiling shyly. She carefully poured herself a cup of tea.

Xia Ying’s room was as graceful and simple as she was, their storeroom didn’t lack beautiful artwork or painting that could make any room look lavish. However, Xia Ying chose a more elegant and simple set of room decorations. It was a breath of fresh air from Zhu Fenfang’s crowded replica of the Royal Treasury.

Since she helped him this time Zhongshan Ling intended to give her a gift to thank her for her help. Zhongshan Ling left as soon as he was done drinking the cup of tea. Xia Ying waited for some minutes after he left before standing and walking back to her bedroom. She held onto Daiyu’s hand and held on to it for support as she sat on her cushioned sofa at the centre of the room.

“Daiyu instructed the men to look into this new Imperial concubine. I need to find out everything about her, starting with how she got close to Crown Prince. I don’t like surprises and would prefer not to get any of those from her”

“Yes mistress”

The next day, Chen Yao was married into the Crown Prince’s mansion. The news of the marriage caused an uproar in the capital, most especially among the common people who were struggling to adjust following the end of the war. Most families lost an able-bodied male or two to the war and the few that didn’t were in dire straits financially.

The commoners all protested, demanding that the Crown Prince be removed from his seat. The crown prince was already in their bad books following the results of his injuries from the war. Soon many complaints were submitted against the Crown Prince’s verdicts on cases under the judicial council with each complaint drawing light to the corruption within his leadership.

The next few days were hectic for everyone, as the petitions lead to a lot of heated debates that dragged the time of each court session. Meanwhile, among the citizens, public opinion was against the Crown Prince and so was most ministers. The Sixth prince’s death gave rise to a stronger opposition from the other princes, with a few using the opportunity to destroy the Crown Prince’s reputation a take his position.

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Days later at the Emperor’s Audience Hall.

An elder statesman, Minister Zhen walked out of the long role of civilian ministers and holding his white plank up bowed and said in a clear voice

“Your majesty, shouldn’t let close ties with the Crown Prince prevent you from making a decision. The Crown Prince continuous mismanagement and misjudge meant of the offices under him cannot be ignored. He should be punished accordingly to act as a good example to the citizens. His highness should give his Majesty and the court an adequate explanation on every charge brought up against him or risk getting impeached”.

As he said that quiet discussion among officials rose in the hall, although they had similar thoughts with the minister that said that no one dared say anything until now. A few ministers nodded and supported his words between their pears. Emperor Zhong’s hands tightened on the armrest of his throne as she watched every single one of the ministers display a large degree of their wild ambition.

While he found the other princes undermining action and the minister’s sneaky actions irritating. He couldn’t dismiss the fact that this problem was caused by the Crown Prince’s incompetence in handling these minor issues. He glared at his eldest son who stood at the front roll of the line. Zhongshan Ling took his eyes away as soon as they met his father’s eyes.

These days the Emperor didn’t bother concealing his dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince. It had gotten so bad that even the other Royal Princes had noticed that and used it to their advantage. Since the sixth Prince who was the Crown Prince’s biggest competition is no more the other princes got more confident and made a play for the throne.

To them the Crown Prince was seating docks, he had no real backings apart from the Empress who ever since the invasion attack had moved residence to the royal temple. The move had caused quite the stir in the capital because it was unexpected. Everyone watched the Crown Prince closely and when he became noticeably distant from the Lu family. The other royal Princes saw it as an opportunity to attack him and take his place.

Each political calm came out to point out the Crown Prince’s mistake, it didn’t matter to them that they were also throwing dirt on the Emperor who had fought tooth and nail to keep the Crown Prince’s position. At the end of the day, they were surprised when the Emperor shut it all down.

“This session has gone on for too long. I am exhausted, let us call it a day” Emperor Zhong didn’t wait for Caihong to make the formal announcement, he was too annoyed to stay there and listen to the ministers half baked excuse. He stood, walked down the step leading to the Dragon throne and walk out. He stopped in front of the Crown Prince and glanced down at him, with a tight face he said, “follow me”.

“Yes, Imperial father”, Zhongshan Ling replied and followed the Emperor behind. The Ministers dispersed in groups after the Emperor and his company had all left. Lu Yaozhu was on his way down the stairs when he was approached by the fifth Prince and his Grandfather, Minister Sheng.

He stood and saluted the Fifth Prince and Minister Sheng. Minister Sheng had been recalled back to the capital a few weeks ago and was already making major moves. There were rumours that he was shortlisted to be appointed the next Prime Minister.

Nothing has been verified but Lu Yaozhu didn’t doubt the possibility of that happening considering how much the Emperor trusted this minister. He had learned to never trust the Emperor’s judgement, there were many instances where his decision was worse than ideal. One of which was letting the fifth prince resume court appearances, to Lu Yaozhu’s understanding, the fifth prince creates more problems than solve them.

Lu Yaozhu put on a neutral expression as he spoke to the pair. Minister Sheng was the one that spoke first, he didn’t trust his grandson not to mess things up by saying something wrong.

“I noticed that your highness was quiet during today’s session, this matter is very delicate as it concerns the future of Northern Wei. I am curious about your take on this since you didn’t make any statement on the ground”.

Lu Yaozhu smiles, while thinking, ‘it seems that minister Sheng isn’t going to out on a game of smoke a shadow. What a pity, I have missed his miserable attempts at playing smart’. He knew of the little games the two senior princes were playing in the shadows. His spies informed him of every single move they played while he remain neutral in everything. He has to applaud minister Sheng for all the bold moves he was making.

Too bad it was all bound to fail, which was why he didn’t take countermeasures. He suspected that the Emperor wanted to taste the capability of each prince’s camp by seeing how far they were all willing to go to achieve their idea of success. These princes were too far gone on greed that they failed to see things rather clearly. Although Emperor Zhong was currently dissatisfied with the Crown Prince, Zhongshan was still his first choice for the position.

Lu Yaozhu sounded very relaxed and upbeat as he replied, “Minister Shen only wishes to flatter me, I am just a lowly military officer. I really cannot say anything on such a high profile case. I think I will accept whatever decision his Majesty makes” he glanced into the sky and continued, “it is getting late, I should take my leave”.

He left without waiting to get a response and got into his carriage.. Leaving the pair stewing in anger.